Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE

Diamond certified company PROFILE

Dan Pitcock, President

Roberts Electric Company, Inc. (RECO) is a full-service electrical contractor that serves residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout the East Bay and San Francisco. Family-owned and operated since 1932, the company is unique in the industry in its ability to meet customers’ needs in a wide range of environments. RECO’s services include lighting, upgrading electrical services, new circuits and outlets of all types, and anything for the home, including remodels, additions and new construction. On the commercial side, it handles circuit, service and distribution installations; tenant improvements; retail buildouts; lighting upgrades; isolated ground surge protection; ballast replacements and more.

RECO can help with the new Title 24 commercial and residential requirements as well as develop lighting plans or lighting control systems.

RECO works with Lutron HomeWorks and RadioRA products as well as commercial energy management systems. “LED lighting is the future, and options and product quality are changing fast, so we work with lighting designers, specifiers and suppliers to stay up-to-date with the latest products,” says President Dan Pitcock. In recognition of its outstanding work, RECO has been named one of the “Top 20 Electrical Contractors in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times.

Roberts Electric Company rewired this REMMIE award-winning living area, which was created by switching the dining room and the kitchen.

Company Profile

Roberts Electric Company, Inc. (RECO) is a full-service electrical contractor that serves residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout the East Bay and San Francisco. Family-owned and operated since 1932, the company is unique in the industry in its ability to meet customers’ needs in a wide range of environments. RECO’s services include lighting, upgrading electrical services, new circuits and outlets of all types, and anything for the home, including remodels, additions and new construction. On the commercial side, it handles circuit, service and distribution installations; tenant improvements; retail buildouts; lighting upgrades; isolated ground surge protection; ballast replacements and more.

RECO can help with the new Title 24 commercial and residential requirements as well as develop lighting plans or lighting control systems.

RECO works with Lutron HomeWorks and RadioRA products as well as commercial energy management systems. “LED lighting is the future, and options and product quality are changing fast, so we work with lighting designers, specifiers and suppliers to stay up-to-date with the latest products,” says President Dan Pitcock. In recognition of its outstanding work, RECO has been named one of the “Top 20 Electrical Contractors in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times.

Company Philosophy

"We've been able to excel in our industry because we offer consistent professional performance. Our employees recognize that they're being invited into people's homes and businesses, so they're always efficient, neat and organized. Our managers visit jobsites, listen to any questions or concerns a customer might have, and follow up when the work is done. We quickly take care of problems because we want our customers to be happy and continue recommending us to others."

Comparative Summary

In an industry where many companies make outsized claims about their expertise, Dan Pitcock is content to let his company’s history and reputation speak for itself.

Mr. Pitcock runs Roberts Electric Company (RECO), a fixture in the Bay Area for over 75 years. The company has been family owned and operated since 1960. RECO is one of the industry’s most versatile companies, providing comprehensive services for all types of residential, commercial and industrial customers, plus telecommunications and network cabling.

What brings customers back to RECO again and again, says Mr. Pitcock, is his company’s “personality”–dedicated to its community, responsive to its needs, grateful for its longstanding patronage. In his view, being invited into someone’s home is a privilege that should be repaid with work that lives up to the highest standards, both the customer’s and his company’s own.

Whether it’s basic electrical wiring or high-end lighting design, RECO demands superior workmanship from its electricians, with safety being paramount. They see their role, ultimately, as helping customers derive the most efficiency, enjoyment, and comfort from their homes and businesses. RECO managers visit jobs in progress to hear questions or concerns and conduct follow-up visits afterwards. If there is ever and issue, a resolution is fast and hassle-free.

A Certified Green Building Professional himself, Mr. Pitcock strives to raise awareness of energy efficiency and incorporate friendly environmental practices into his company at every level.

Industry Info

All good electricians earn their reputations the same way: Years of good work and proven customer satisfaction. Whether you need major electrical installation or some simple wiring, choose a company that can do it all. Because if your electrical contractors uncover something that they didn’t anticipate—and it happens all the time, especially in older construction—you want to be sure they can finish what they start.

Plenty of electrical contractors work out of their home, and there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. But remember that these types of businesses often have limited tools on hand. Even a job as simple as putting wiring in a wall can require a significant tool inventory. Limited or wrong tools could delay your project, especially if you have to wait while parts are ordered.

Make sure your electrician is licensed, bonded and insured. And of course, it’s always a good idea to get a reference. The Better Business Bureau and Diamond Certified are smart places start; so are referrals from friends. You shouldn’t be the least bit timid about investigating the reputation of someone you’re planning to do business with. Give them a call and ask for a list of former clients you can contact. Remember, the best electrical contractors acquired their sterling reputations by working many jobs over a period of years and delivering excellent work each time. You shouldn’t settle for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: You talk about maintenance for electrical work. Are there telltale signs that I need upgrading?

A: Yes, there are. For example, are you resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses too often? Do the lights dim when you turn on your air conditioner? Do you ever smell electricity burning? Do you have six devices plugged into a single outlet, or power strips plugged into power strips? Do your three-pronged plugs need two-prong adapters? Do you run extension cords everywhere? These are all signs that your system might need maintenance or upgrading.

Q: I have a fuse box in a closet. Is that a problem?

A: Yes, it should be removed.

Q: What about my circuit breaker panel? It’s pretty old.

A: Updated, properly sized circuit breakers are safer to reset and calibrate for the size and load they’re connected to.

Q: Any thoughts about saving energy and money?

A: Consider installing dimmer switches. They save 10 perfect energy consumption on the lights they control. Also consider compact and other types of fluorescent lighting. There are now lamps with much improved color rendering and an instant-on feature. These are sometimes even available free from PG&E and other government agencies promoting energy efficiency.

Q: How many outlets should I have in each room?

A: Ideally, no point along the floor line (where the floor and wall meet) should be more than six feet from an outlet.

DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Dan Pitcock

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE

Dan Pitcock is a lifetime veteran of the electrical industry and president of Roberts Electric Company, Inc., a Diamond Certified company since 2002. He can be reached at (510) 621-3918 or by email.

Dan Pitcock: High Voltage

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

OAKLAND – Dan Pitcock has been involved in the electrical industry since he was a young man, but there was a span of time during and after college when he had another equally electrifying occupation. “I worked for Bill Graham Presents from the mid ’70s to the early ’80s as a security supervisor at concerts,” he says. “I’m a pretty big guy, so they put me at the front of the stage, which gave me the opportunity to see a lot of iconic bands perform during their heyday. I remember working a Rolling Stones show where Mick Jagger was trying to untie some balloons and asked me if I had a knife. About 20 knives came flying out of the crowd and landed on the stage. He cut the balloons off and everybody cheered as they flew up over the crowd. Another time, I got a Dutch rub from Steven Tyler!”

Long before he was supplying the muscle at rock ‘n’ roll shows, Dan was fully immersed in electrical work. As he describes, it was merely a family affair. “I come from a family of electricians, including my father and my uncles. My parents started Roberts Electric Company in 1960, and I basically grew up in the business. By the time I was 12, I was working during the summers for my parents, and I continued to do that through college. In 1992, I took over the business.” In addition to building on the traditions of quality and service that have characterized Roberts Electric Company since its inception, Dan has put his own spin on things by expanding the business to handle larger commercial and industrial jobs.

While Dan’s role as owner of Roberts Electric Company keeps him busy throughout the workweek, on weekends he’s likely to be on the sidelines at one of his son’s soccer games. “My son, Shane, plays on Bay Oaks, which is a Class 1 team in the Bay Area that competes nationally,” he explains. Dan has been participating in local youth sports ever since Shane, now a high school senior, first got involved with them as a boy. “I coached little league for many years, and I’m on the Board of Directors for a couple youth baseball organizations.” Dan says being a part of his son’s athletic career has been a continual source of enjoyment and paternal bonding. “It’s been something that we’ve been able to share for a number of years, and it’s been a great joy. Shane wants to play soccer in college, so I look forward to supporting him in that as well.”

Looking back on his life and career, Dan takes pride in knowing he’s made a positive impact on his local community. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people and improving their lives through electricity, so it’s very gratifying to know that I’ve been able to make a difference,” he says. When asked what he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Dan says he’d spend some time traveling abroad. “I used to speak Spanish and French pretty fluently, so I’d like to visit those countries and get re-immersed in that. I’d also like to get outdoors more and enjoy things like bird watching and hiking.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: Even though I grew up in Oakland, I’ve always been a Giants and 49ers guy. And, of course, I have to support my Cal Bears.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: I like a mix of old school and new school. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of newer stuff like Arcade Fire and Band of Horses, but I also like Led Zeppelin and the classic rock I grew up with. I’m just a child of the ’70s who has lived through all these different phases and learned to appreciate newer styles. I’ve even warmed up a bit to the rap music my son listens to!

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: I’d go to the past, because I’d like to see the Bay Area before it became settled and populated. When the first Spanish explorers came through here, they described all kinds of amazing things—whales beached on the Bay, grizzly bears, and huge amounts of birds and fish.

Q: What kind of books do you read?
A: I’ve always enjoyed sci-fi and fantasy books—I used to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy every year—but lately, I’ve been reading historical accounts of life in the United States.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: I’m a big taco truck guy. Oakland has some great taco trucks, so when I’m in the mood, I enjoy a good local taco.

Expert articles

Understanding Your Electrical System

by Dan Pitcock, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

OAKLAND — There are two types of electrical systems found in homes today: fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels. Regardless of which you have in your home, it’s beneficial to gain an understanding of how each functions.

Fuse box
As the precursor to modern circuitry, fuse boxes are commonly found in older homes. There are two kinds: plug fuses and cartridge fuses. Plug fuses are short, mushroom-shaped fuses that are designed to conduct a maximum of 125 volts. Cartridge fuses are cylindrical in appearance (with contact points on each end) and have a higher power capacity: up to 600 volts, depending on the design.

When a fuse is subjected to an excess amount of electrical current for an extended period of time, this commonly results in what’s known as a “blown” fuse. While a blown plug fuse can easily be replaced, you need to be careful when replacing a cartridge fuse because they have more exposed parts. However, since fuse boxes weren’t designed to meet the electrical needs of today, if you find yourself having to continually replace fuses, you should consider upgrading to a circuit breaker panel.

Circuit breaker panel
This more modern style of electrical system relies on circuit breakers rather than fuses. Besides being more suited to modern power needs, the main benefit of circuit breakers is that instead of burning out like a fuse, they simply switch off, or “trip,” when overloaded. Not only does this function help protect against overheating, it also makes restoring power much easier: instead of replacing the breaker, all you have to do is flip it back up to the “on” position. Keep in mind that you need to use the correct procedure of turning the switch all the way off and back up; otherwise, it may not reset.

Updating Your Interior Lighting

by Dan PItcock, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

OAKLAND — If you’re looking to update the lighting in your home, there are several available options, but the best lighting is always that which most improves your home’s functionality and energy-efficiency.

When it comes to choosing a light bulb, you essentially have four options:

1. Traditional incandescent is the least energy-efficient and is being phased out by newer, more efficient alternatives.

2. Compact fluorescent is the style originally designed to replace incandescent lighting. It provides similar light quality while using as little as one-fifth of the power. Compact fluorescent bulbs work better as a general light because they don’t adapt to specific applications as well as other styles.

3. MR16 (or multifaceted reflector lamps) have a halogen light source and come in a variety of beam spreads, sizes and wattage’s, making them useful for applications like track lighting, recessed ceiling lights, pendant fixtures and landscape lighting.

4. LED lighting offers many benefits, including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime and faster switching. While it’s currently the most expensive option, LED technology is changing rapidly and becoming more affordable as it gains popularity.

Another way to update the lighting in your home is by adding light switch dimmers, which can significantly reduce your energy usage. Additionally, if you have a room in your home where you’ve always wanted an additional light switch but don’t want to pay for the cost of wiring, wireless switching is a recent innovation that enables you to control lighting from another side of a room with a battery-operated radio receiver.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Dan Pitcock: So, today we have the plug fuse and the tamper-proof plug fuse. These just unscrew, these are a little harder to find so you want to make sure you some in-stock at all times. These cartridge fuses are a little more dangerous because they have a lot of exposed parts. This big knife switch type fuse will be at your main service, always have two of them on hand in case they go out.

Then, we have two old style breakers: Federal Pacific here and Zinsco panel here. These we’re replacing, they are kind of antiquated and out-of-date. These have actually lost their UL listing. Then we go to regular circuit breaker types we have a regular breaker that you will see, we have an arc fall breaker, a GFI breaker and then you can also get GFI protection out of a receptor that you’ve probably seen around the home. These all have test buttons that should be changed or checked if your power goes out. You want to make sure that they don’t trip. If they trip, you that that’s not the breaker and you can reset it.

If you are going to reset circuit breakers, keep in mind that there is usually an off position and an on position. If you go to your panel and find one that’s in an intermediate position and a little bit wiggly, you’ll want to turn it all the way to the off position to reset the mechanism and then restore power by turning it on otherwise it won’t reset.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.org.

Video: Choosing The Best Lighting For Your Home

with Dan Pitcock of Roberts Electric Company, Inc.

Complete Video Transcription:

OAKLAND — Host, Sarah Rutan: Are you ready to update the lighting in your home? First, you’ll want to understand all of your options. So today we’re in Oakland with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Dan Pitcock of Roberts Electric Company to learn more.

Expert Contributor, Dan Pitcock: You may be considering updating the lighting in your home to provide you more functionality in different areas of the house or light or do whatever you are considering.

There are four types in general: the traditional incandescent, it’s the most clunky I would say and the most less energy efficient than the other styles. There is the MR 16 which is usually a four inch aperture. We really like that because it is really flexible. The light bulbs come in many different beam spreads and wattage’s, really good for different types of lighting throughout the house.

For general lighting you can go to compact fluorescent. Compact fluorescent, obviously good energy efficiency, color in it is much better than it used to be, but its more of a general light, not so functional for adapting to specifics and then LED is the most energy efficient and the technology is changing rapidly. Its becoming much more affordable, the types of light bulbs you’ll see for LED you can get good color entering as well through the array I should say, not through the light bulb.

If you’re going to dim those, you should consider either a toggle switch or a paddle decor style. If you have a location in your home where you have always wanted to dim across the room but don’t want to pay for the cost of wiring, we now have wireless switching which allows you to put a little battery operated radio receiver on the other side of the room, put the proper style dimmer in and now you’ve got dimming control from both sides of the room.

Roberts Electric Company, Inc.

Company Suggested Links

Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Roberts Electric Company, Inc.

Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise

Roberts Electric Company, Inc.

378 SURVEYS

RATING

17 CONSECUTIVE YEARS SINCEMarch 2002CERT10

DIAMOND CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED

Diamond certified ratings dashboard

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
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Customer LOYALTY
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Helpful Expertise
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Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials
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Workers Compensation

Liability Insurance

License Verification

Business Practices

Current Complaint File

Legal & Finance

Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 378 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS
i

Roberts Electric Company, Inc.:
Average 8.9 out of 10 based on 378 unique customer surveys of customer satisfaction.

Josh H.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

1
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Very accommodating when in a pinch, and they were willing to help me no matter the lengths.

They did whatever they could to get the problem addressed.

Allan H.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

2
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would highly recommend Roberts Electric. They have a very knowledgeable and detailed staff including their front office.

They were professional. Also I found them in the Diamond Certified ledger.

Janet C.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

3
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They were prompt and professional and reasonable prices. I don't think you can ask for more.

He wasn't condescending. Some guys can just go on and on when you really want them to just do the work. He treated me like an adult.

Homer T.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

4
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They're pretty on time, pretty honest, reasonable, and they respond courteously and promptly.

The technician was very friendly and helpful.

Donna G.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

5
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would say they're worth their cost. They're not cheap, but the value you get is worth the cost.

They did a really good job.

Fred R.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

6
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them without qualification.

They were prompt, efficient, and the quality of their work was top notch.

Jack H.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

7
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would say they do a very good job, they did exactly what I wanted.

The quality of the work

Susan S.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

8
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would tell them that I've already recommended them, that it was easy to get an appointment with them, the guy who came out was super knowledgeable and he was really friendly, really knew his stuff, and was very professional. Even though I didn't know anything, he was very straight with me and wasn't condescending. He treated me like an adult. I had the electrician come over and fix a problem in my garage and then the estimator, Kevin, came out to look at the whole thing again and talk to me about fixing it as it is versus putting in a new junction box. Kevin was also wonderful the same way as the first guy. It was kind of complicated for me but he did a really good job of telling me my options. They were both really honest and not alarmist. They told me I can go several years with how it is without major problems. They really sketched it out for me but didn't try to up-sell me. They gave me all the facts. So what I would recommend them for is their professionalism, their honesty, and the overall quality of their work and those things.

I think that it was that both people were obviously very experienced and also that they were very honest. I felt safe whichever decision I made, because I have all the facts to make a good decision, and if it was dangerous they would have told me. But they didn't make it sound more dangerous to get more money out of me. They talked to me about it in a very friendly, easily understandable.

James C.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

9
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

The efficiency and quality of the work, they're not slacking off, they really get to work.

Their work and their personnel

Judith C.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

10
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They were on time, professional, friendly, and didn't try to charge for things that were not necessary.

There wasn't a lot of uncertainty with them. They pinpointed the issue and it was fixed.

Judith O.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

11
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are very personable and treated us and the property very nicely. They do amazing work.

They treated us well.

MaryAnn D.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

12
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

That they know their stuff, and they're very honest.

They fixed something that hadn't been working since the day it was installed 30 years ago.

Maureen B.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

13
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are reliable and they figured out a solution to the issue we had. Everything is perfect now.

Their attitude and professionalism

Sydney M.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

14
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

That they were reliable, they did a good job, and they answered the questions I asked.

They did the job.

Andree J.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

15
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They come highly recommended. They have done great.

They do what they tell you they will do.

Vincenzo T.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

16
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are reliable and they figured out a solution to the issue we had. Everything is perfect now.

Their attitude and their professionalism

F.L.

VERIFIED Roberts Electric Company, Inc. CUSTOMER

17
of
378

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are extremely reliable and very prompt. I use them for both commercial and residential services. They are very detail oriented, and they take good care of me.